Why we’re rethinking our approach to social impact

So, what’s changing?

Over the next twelve months, we’re going to be reviewing how we create and measure social impact.

We’re proud of our track record: our guardians have collectively contributed hundreds of thousands of hours to good causes. But we’ve also listened to feedback and looked closely at what’s happening in people’s lives and in the world around us. We’ve seen that:

• Many guardians are busier and more stretched than ever. Rising living costs, long working hours, and caring responsibilities make it harder to meet our current 16-hour monthly volunteering expectation.
• The people we house are more diverse than ever, and the barriers they face to giving back can be complex and systemic.
• Volunteering across the UK has dropped. People still care about giving back – but they need more flexible, accessible ways to do it.
• Our guardians are already making a difference in broader ways. From informal support for neighbours to community organising, creative work, and local activism – social impact can look different today.

That’s why we’ll be asking our guardians, clients, employees and other stakeholders: is there a better, more inclusive way to support and measure the positive impact our guardians create?

What we’re doing

From July to September 2025, we’re running a social impact review with guardians. During this time:

• We’re pausing the volunteering requirement to complete 16 hours a month, so we can get a clearer picture of how many hours guardians are actually managing to do – without pressure or risk to their guardianship.
• Guardians are submitting simple monthly forms telling us how they’ve contributed, whether through formal volunteering or other community-building efforts.
• We’re also gathering feedback on what support would help people give back, and what barriers they face.

This will help us understand what’s realistic, what’s meaningful, and how we can make our model even stronger.

What’s not changing

Our commitment to social impact remains core to our business.

We still believe that people want to give back – and that guardianship can be a platform for doing good. We still work closely with property owners who care about their buildings being used for a positive purpose. And we still centre fairness, safety, and social good in everything we do.

What’s changing is how we support and recognise that impact – so we can stay relevant, inclusive and effective.

What comes next: 2025 – 26

Throughout the summer, we’ll be reviewing what guardians have told us – looking closely at the range of ways they’re creating impact, and what feels achievable. By autumn 2025, we’ll share our findings and confirm the new volunteering expectations.

That won’t be the end of the social impact review. We know there’s more to understand about how guardians contribute to their communities and how we can support that. Over the following months, we’ll run focus groups and workshops with guardians, clients and others in the sector, and seek expert input on what good social impact looks like today.

We’ll be exploring options like more flexible volunteering commitments, local events and partnerships, and ways to recognise a broader range of contributions – such as informal support, organising, or creative work that benefits others. As always, our goal is to continue delivering meaningful social value – for guardians, for clients, and for the communities they work in.

All of this work will culminate in a celebration of fifteen years of Dot Dot Dot, next summer.

This isn’t about lowering our ambitions. It’s about refreshing our approach to reflect the world we’re living in – and continuing to be a social enterprise that creates real, measurable value for the long term.

If you’d like to get in touch to find out more, or get involved in the social impact review, please email hello@dotdotdotproperty.com